A passenger assaulted me: get safe, then get it recorded
Factual guidanceFresh — reviewed 19 April 2026Sources: 6Next review: 18 July 2026
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Take this with you
Dated, pre-fillable checklist + your details — ready to show a rep or solicitor.
In the next hour
- Get to a safe location. Do not chase the passenger. Do not argue on camera.
- If you are in immediate danger or badly hurt, call 999. If the threat has passed, call 101 and get a crime reference number.
- Preserve the dashcam file or helmet cam clip as the original, unedited. Do not post it anywhere yet. Back it up to cloud storage.
- Take photos of injuries, vehicle damage, the location, and any witnesses. Get witness phone numbers if you can.
In the next week
- Report through the platform app safety route. Keep the ticket number. In London as a private hire driver, operators must action safety complaints within 48 hours and pass potential crimes to police.
- See a doctor or go to A and E even if you think you are probably fine. Medical records dated to the assault matter for any later personal injury claim.
- Keep a written incident log: date, time, platform, trip ID, what was said, injuries, police reference, ticket number, medical treatment, missed shifts.
- Speak to a personal injury solicitor about a claim against the passenger personally or against the Motor Insurers Bureau if vehicle damage was involved and the person is uninsured. You have 3 years from the assault to issue a claim but act in weeks, not years.
In the next hour
- Get to a safe location. Do not chase the passenger. Do not argue on camera.
- If you are in immediate danger or badly hurt, call 999. If the threat has passed, call 101 and get a crime reference number.
- Preserve the dashcam file or helmet cam clip as the original, unedited. Do not post it anywhere yet. Back it up to cloud storage.
- Take photos of injuries, vehicle damage, the location, and any witnesses. Get witness phone numbers if you can.
In the next week
- Report through the platform app's safety route. Keep the ticket number. In London as a private hire driver, operators must action safety complaints within 48 hours and pass potential crimes to police.
- See a doctor or go to A&E even if you think you are "probably fine". Medical records dated to the assault matter for any later personal injury claim.
- Keep a written incident log: date, time, platform, trip ID, what was said, injuries, police reference, ticket number, medical treatment, missed shifts.
- Speak to a personal injury solicitor about a claim against the passenger personally or against the Motor Insurers' Bureau if vehicle damage was involved and the person is uninsured. You have 3 years from the assault to issue a claim but act in weeks, not years.
Tools, guides and templates to use
- copy-paste structured report for platform and police.
- which route to use after an incident.
- SAR to force disclosure of customer details for any civil claim.
- dashcam, signage and ICO rules.
When to escalate
Police: 999 emergency, 101 non-emergency. Victim Support at victimsupport.org.uk, 08 08 16 89 111. Personal injury firms that handle gig cases: Fletchers, Irwin Mitchell, Leigh Day. For London drivers, TfL Taxi and Private Hire safety complaints. Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority at cica.gov.uk if the attacker is never caught.
Related crisis pages
- if a vehicle was involved.
- if the passenger then reported you in retaliation.
- if you are off work because of the assault.
Last reviewed
19 April 2026
Primary sources used:
Research/Gap/G6.3-assault-reporting.mdResearch/Gap/G6.1-personal-injury-claims.md
Before you leave
Sources
- Police 999 / 101
- TfL private hire operator 48-hour safety complaint rule
- Limitation Act 1980 (3-year personal injury deadline)
- Motor Insurers' Bureau mib.org.uk
- Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority cica.gov.uk
- Victim Support 08 08 16 89 111